Folding machine



April l1, 1944. J, STUART, 2D,y ET AL 2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet l lil! Roscoe B.Syn/'M F I G. l A INVENTORS BY @NANA 6b. Qwmmg ATTORNEY April 11, 1944.J, STUART, 2D., ET AL 2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE l Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY April11, 1944.

J. STUART, 2D., ET A1.

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m |HH. l mf Il I IlMun" H/.lmmwm 11mm ununuuunhu 4 W Mummulh INVENTORS cham, @5. mamm.

ATTORNEY April 11, 1944- v v J. sTUARI'n 2D., ET AL 2,346,336

`FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 23, 1942 l 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 El I s F G. I4

Roscoe B. Sm/' INVENTORS ATTORNEY April 11, 1944 J. STUART, 2D., ET A1.2,346,336

FOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 25, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l Y" gl Il togli409 FIG' I8 l I "ENTORS I BY A 5- NAM@ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 11, 1944Smith, Wilmington, Del., assignors to Hercules Powder Company,Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application January 23,1942, Serial No. 427,932

2l Claims.

This invention relates to a device for folding wire and moreparticularly to a machine for automatically folding, crushing a portionof the insulation, cutting, and tying the leg wires for electricblasting caps.

Electric blasting caps are provided with leg wires varying in lengthfrom four feet on up to any desired length. In the manufacturing ofthese caps, it is customary to cut the leg wires to length, crush orburn a portion of the insulation adjacent each end and remove theinsulation. A blasting cap consisting of a ne platinum wire bridgeimbedded in an ignition charge is fitted to one end of the leg wires andthe other end is provided with a suitable shunt which is removed whenthe blasting cap is to be used' vide a machine which automatically,expeditious-- ly, and efficiently accomplishes the folding of a wire ora plurality of Wires.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine Whichautomatically, continuously, and simultaneously removes individual Wiresfro-m spools or other source of supply, folds the wires into a series oflongitudinal folds, crushes a portion of the insulation for subsequentremoval, cuts the wires into specified lengths, encircles the wires witha tie wire to form a bundle, and then discharges the bundle into anysuitable receptacle or on a conveyor belt. f

A further object of this invention is to provide means for properlytensioning the wires as they arebeing fed to the folding mechanism.

Another object of this invention is to providenovel means forcontinuously folding Wire into a plurality of folds, conveying thefolded wire,

cutting the conveyed Wire into a length corresponding to a plurality offolds and discharging the plurality of folds to a bundling device.

A further. object of this invention is to provide Y an improved cuttingdevice which shears the wire.

A further object of this invention is theprovision of mechanism forgatheringthel plurality of folds into a compact bundle and encircling vthe bundle with a tie wire,to facilitate subse' i quent handling and toprevent entanglement with other bundles, and then ejecting theindividual bundles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedmechanism in amachine of the character described.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novelfeatures and combinations being set forth in the appended claims.

Generally described, the present invention comprises an automaticmechanism for processing insulated wire .whichincludes feedingyfolding,modified crushing, cutting, bundling and ejecting the bundled wire. Morespecifically, the invention is directed toward the manufacture of legwires for electric blasting caps wherein means are provided for:properly tensioning the wire as it is being fed; placing the wireautomatically on spaced, oppositely positioned mandrels and folding thewire in alternate directions, :whereby the continuous alternate foldsdefine a figure eight; conveying theA folded wire longitudinally on themandrels to 'a position where the insulation is suitably crushed, andcutting the wire to a length predetermined by the number of foldsconveyed between cuts; conveying the wire further to disengage themandrels and engage glide rods afxed to said mandrels, whereby the gliderods guide the folded wire into the nest of a bundling device;compressing and tying the folded wire into a bundle; and ejecting thebundle into a receptacle or on a conveyor belt.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the uaccompanying drawingsforming a part of the specification wherein reference symbols refer tolike parts wherever they occur; n

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the wire tensioning mechanismillustrated in Fig. 1. The wire being fed is not shown for purpose ofclarity.

Fig. 3 is an -enlarged side elevational view, partly in section of thefeeding unit land the forming, crushing and cutting unit.

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the spider members that feed theleg wire to theformin unit as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 vis an `enlarged side elevational 'view of Y pins and push offFig. 8 is a -side elevational View partly in section showing theinterior of the forming, crusl ing and cutting assembly; l

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9-9 oflig. 8..

Fig. 10 isa fragmen-tary yplan view. showingthe folded wire on themandrels, the conveying screws, and the crushing and cutting assembly.

Fig. 11 is an end view of the mandrels and conveying screws as shown inFig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a side elevational ,View ofthe bundle. tying and ejectingmechanism.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged front elevational viewof-l the tie wire feedwheels and lower tie wire former.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the lower formerand the shear pin for cutting the tie wire.

Fig. 15 is a plan view looking upwardly into the upper former.

Fig. 16 is a plan view looking downwardly `Iinto; the` lower former.

Fig. 17- is a front elevational view..of the meclr-n anism for ejectingthe .bundledlegrwires Fig. 18 isa side elevational View. ofaamodied formof cutter.

Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken: on line.: |9-1|9- of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is afragmentary plan .view| of. the man- A drel shown in Fig.18and Fig.;19.

In Fig. 1 and, Fig.. 2.; as motor, represented ,by .I throughappurtenant driving means,v represented by 3; drivesadrivewheel 5;havingza transverse drivezshaft 1 securedthereto. The:drive shaft '1 isjournaled to a;bodyimember 9 lofV afeeding -asseIn-z l bly which isaffixed to a-bench ,Il I.V A spiral gear1|3 secured to-the'l shaft 1engages a.spira1,gear.|5,v secured to a longitudinaldrive shaft I1 whichat one end is journaledl tothe body member r9 and` at the other end is`journaled `to,-the benchv I I. The longitudinal drive. shaft I1 has-aspllr gear I9 secured thereto which engagesa spur gear2| journaled toa body member 23A of a folding as-v sembly which is ,axed tothe benchThe spur gear 2| engages a spur gear 25 having a multiple drive shaft 21secured thereto and journaled to the body member 23.. The function and'appurtenant members of the multiple drive shaft will be described;infra.

A wire 25J-anda wire 3|; from a suitable source of supply (not-shown);respectively engages a sheave 33 and-a sheave A'35 'which are affixedtoA a support member'31 -which is mounted `oirbody member Sof thefeeding assembly. The wires^29f and 3| engage a sheave-39 and passdownwardly to engage a multiple groove drive -sheave 4| secured to ashaft 43 which is journaled to a body member 45 of a wire equalizingvand tensioning assembly. A spiral gear 41 secured to the shaf-t" 43engages ay spiral .gearAS `which -is securedfto the drive` shaft .I1thereby 1` driving the dr-ive sheave 4|.` The -wires 291and l3| passfromA the l drive sheavefl to `a-'multiple groove idler sheave Llla,which .is journaled to the body member-45, thence back to the drive`sheave 4| `and thence back to1thelidler `sheave ,el Ia-from which thewires 29 and, 3| fpass :upwardly ,to engagea tension.. sheave 5| whichis aixed to alever arm 53 :which is pivotally: axedto thegsupport'member31.1' A tension springz ihas one; end. connected 5to :the lever arm 53and the otherend-.adjustably.secured to th'eysupportmemloerg31.The..wires;29 and 3| pass from,the;tension^sheaVe-5| down,- wardly to asheave 51 which is ailxed to sup-f. port member 31v and thence to anequalizersheave 59 whichis aixedtoan equalizer lever 6| which: ispivotallyyaffixed to-thel 'support -member 131. The equalzerrleverlhasgasconnectorrodi G3i which has one enduniversally;connected-,to-Lthe3";

20., Referring now more particularly tother fold-- lever 6| and theother end universally connected toa` cam. follower leverl 65. whichispivotally affixed to body member |55 The cam; follower lever has a camroller 61 which engages the cam 69 and thereby imparts a reciprocatingmovement to the push rod 63 which in conjunctiontwithequalizer sheave 59properly tensions the .wires 29 and,3| in synchronized movement with.thefolding. mechanism which will be describedginfra.. The wires 29 and3| pass from equalizersheave 59 upwardly to sheave 1 I, thencedownwardly to sheave 13, both of which are afxedfitosupport member 31,and thence between guide members 15 which are rigidly affixed to thesupport member 31. A guide wire 11 is afxedtto the guide members 15.andserves to mainta-inn the. wires 291 and'f3I in a vertically alignedplane,v as; theyoscillate due to engagement :with the folding-.assemblydescribed, infra.

ing.V assembly .illustrated in Figs.v 4, 5, 6.'.and 7,

the wires-29-zand 3| :engagea `plurality of pins, 19 l and8.I,-.respectively,r which are rigidly-secured to-rotating Aspiders 33and 85, respectivelyA The-` direction offrotati'on of ythespidersissuchthat thef-wiressll andSIare foldedinwardly and'.

downwardly in. one direction `when lengaged Aby pins;.19 and inwardlyand downwardly in theother directionwhen engagedrby pins 8 I, therebygol .forming -.a..continuous incurvate yconfiguration -or figure eight.

thereto.. Th'espiral gears 9|Y and-93lengage :amating 'pinions 95 and91, respectively, which are secured 'to transverse drive shaft 1 fandsdriven thereby. Adouble `carn- 99 secured to drive shaft 1 fengagesa-camroller IGI and a cam rollerl |03" which'. are.vv affixed 'tol camlevers |95and |91 re .sspectively- The cam-levers `|95 andv|91 arejoinnale'd iat .theirlowenends tothe body rnemberlandhave.pivotallysconnected to their upper ends a push rod |09 and apush rod I l I, respectively,

which Lpush rodsI extend through and are supaflixedto fa' pluralityof'sleeve pins ||1 and' I I9, respectively The :sleeve pins |I1-andr||9"a1ve -slidalol-yfsecureditothe4 spidersand 85, re:

spectively.; The sleeve; pins II1 and |I9 have slidable-push',offfsleeves I 2| "and |23,vv respectively connected thereto, ,and`thejpush olf 'sleevess |2| I and- 23 have springs 25 ;;and.. 21.,respectively,

engaged therewith.v Thegsprings. |25 andlI21' are'secured to the spiders83`and 85,'respectively, at one end while at, the othergend they .engagether push olf sleeves l I 2| 'and` |23,` respectively, to..re

turn 'theipushpoffsleeves totheir inoperative po- 0 sition, whenii-not.actuated Aby the push-rods .(Fig.

4 and/Fig. 5);. Thefwires129 and 3| havingen.- gaged oneof the'pins19'are.folded:downwardly the push .rod I I,: which when actuated bythecamI 99 advances. theI sleeve pin. roller I I5 f and,

in association therewith the push off sleeve |23.:

`is .advanced rand the wires `29 Vand 3 I are pushed ol'thQ'. Din: 3

The spiders -Il3l`-and Iivare secured` to: drive: shafts 81 Aand S89,respectively, which have `spiral'gears 9| -and 93, respectively, securediportedzjb'yzaportion ofthe-body member 9. The

pushfrodsLI I I and |99 engagea plurality of sleeves pin rollers ||3 and||5,i respectively, which are- Similarly; as thespider83lrotates,fthe.elements I3; |2| assume the .positionindicatedfbyj I |3"and,|2|', respectively; and the ;wires-29 -and--3|rarev pushed foff as Aindicated .byAA

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 8, 9,.`-

and 11, the wires 29 and 3| are folded'over the mandrels |33 and |35 bythe pins 19 and 8| respectively, as described, supra. Guide elements |31and |39 are affixed to the ends of mandrels |33 and |35, respectively,to eliminate any possibility of the wires 29 and 3| slipping. from themandrels. The guide elements |31 and |39 have curved surfaces congruouswith the radius of spiders 83 and 85, respectively, so that theprotrusions ||l| and |43 (Figs. 3 and 5) on sleeves |2| and |23,respectively, straddle the guide elements when the sleeves are in theiradvanced push off position. The wires 29 and 3| having been folded onthe mandrels |33 and |35 are engaged by threadlike grooves |95 and |91on righthand and left-hand screw conveyors |99 and |5|, respectively,whereupon the wires 29 andv3| are advanced along the mandrels |33, |35in frictional engagement therewith. The pickup end of conveyors |49 and|5| is supported byV body member 9 and the discharge end is journaled tobody member 23. A spiral gear |53 and a spiral gear |55 are secured toconveyors |99 and |5|, respectively, and engage a spiral gear |51 and aspiral gear |59 secured to a transverse drive shaft IBI. The drive shaft|9| has a spiral gear |63 secured thereto which engages a spiral gear|95 which issecured to the multiple drive shaft 21 thereby driving theconveyors |99 and |5|. The mandrels |33 and |35 are maintained inalignment and positioning by the conveyorsv |99 and |5|, in the formerinstance, and by atop retainer |91 and a bottom retainer |99 for mandrel|33 and a top retainer |1| and a bottom retainer |13 for mandrel |35, inthe latter instance.

These retainers have bearing surfaces and oblique engaging surfaces |11which engage concavities |19 in the top and bottom sides of mandrels |33and |35, thereby maintaining the mandrels in their respective positions.The retainers also have threadlike groovesl |8| adapted tobypass thewires 29 and 3| as they are being conveyed along the mandrels |33 and|35. A pair of spiral gears |83 Aanda pair of spiral gears |85 aresecured to the top retatiners |31, |1| and the bottom retainers |99,|13, respectively, and engagea pair of top spiral gears |81 .and a pairof bottom spiral gears |39, respectively, which are secured to driveshafts |9l and |93, respectively..

Drive shafts |91 and |93 have gears |95 and |91, respectively, securedthereto, which gears engage a gear |99 secured to the multipledriveshaft 21 thereby driving the retainers |91, |99, |1| and |13 insynchronized movement to by-pass the Wires 29 and 3| as they are beingadvanced by the conveyors|9 and |5l. The wires 29 and 3l are furtheradvanced along the mandrels |33 and |35 by the conveyorsk |59 and |5|into the crushing and cutting Zone, wherein upper rotating Crushers 29|,293 and upper rotating vcutter 295 and lower rotating anvils 291, 299and lower rotating cutter 2|| are operating. 'Theupper crushers 29|, 293and upper cutter 295 andY thelower anvils Y291,

cutters.

shafts 2|3 and2 I5, respectively, which have gears 2|1 and 2|9 securedthereto, which gears engage a Worm gear 22| secured to the multipledrive shaft 21 thereby driving said Crushers, anvils and Upper crushers29|, 293 and upper cutter 295 have crushing blades 223, 225 adjustablyaffixed thereto and cutting blade 221 adjustably affixed thereto,respectively. Likewise, lower anvils 291, 299 and lower cutter 2|| hasanvil blades 229, 23| adjustably affixed thereto and cuttingblade 233,adjustably affixed thereto,

' tating crushing blades 223, 225 withthe rotating 209 and lower cutter2|| are secured' to drive '75 anvil blades 229, 23| strikingsimultaneously the mandrels |35, |33, respectively, thereby givingsupport to the mandrels, concurrently, the rotating cutter blades 221,233 cut the wires top and bottom on the mandrel |33 (Figs. 8 and 10).The length of leg wire being predetermined by the number of foldsconveyed through the crushing and cutting zone between cutting andcrushing f cycles. The small arcuate portions of the wires formed by thedouble cutting operation is con-y veyed from the mandrel |33by theconveyor' |99 ,I from whence they drop on the machine bench or into asuitable receptacle. The folded wires 29, 3| after crushing and cuttingare conveyed until they slip off the mandrels and descend on glide rods235 and 231 which are afliXed to the mandrels |33, |35, respectively.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. l, 12, 13, le, 15, 16 and 17.descend on the glide wires 235, 231 from which ,The folded wires 29 and3| they drop into a lower former 239 which has forked members 29|affixed thereto on each side. Immediately (Fig. l2), a valve cam 293,secured to upper tool shaft 2|3, actuates valve lever295 which controlsa motive fluid valve 291, which-in turn operates a fluid cylinder 299.249 has a piston rod 25| pivotally connected to a rocker lever 253 whichis secured to rocker shaft 255 which shaft is journaled in supportmembers 251 and 259 which are integral with the bench l|.

A compound cam 26| secured to rocker shaft The cylinder 255 has a tiewire advance lever 293 and a bundle lever 295 engaged therewith, saidlevers being pivotally aflixed to support member 251.

wire lever 293 is universally connected to ratchet.. shaft 291 which isjournaled in lower former support 259 and support member 21| which isaffixed to the bench The ratchet shaft 291 actuates ratchet 213 which inturn actuates a plurality of' i gears 215 which through feed shaft 211,journaled r to members 299, 21|, actuates feed gea'rs'219` which havefeed wheels 23|. connected thereto.

A tie wire 233 supplied from a suitable source (not shown) passes upthrough straightener as-fr sembly 285 to engage feed wheels 29| whichwheels maintain uniform compression on the tie l The tie wire 283 passesfrom the feed wheels 28| into a split slide member 299 which is heldtogether witl'lf screws 29| and the wire passes from the slide" memberinto a guide tube 293 which is secured in the lower former 239. ablyconnects to lower crosshead 295 which has The 'bundle lever "295'slidslide rods 291 affixed thereto which rods pass v through and extendfrom sleeves 299 mounted in lower former support 269. An upper crosshead- 3|l| which supports upper former r393 is" afxed to the slide rods291. The upper-former 303 has forked' members .33aixed- ,thereto onfeachside,- whichumembersware sospaced.' that the :upper forked members .3-slidev past the lower forked' 309 .is ali'xed to cross headf30|g` saidlift hook beingn maintained in position'zto engage ax trip 3l by torsionspring. 3|3; ejector shaft i3 Siwhich vis .supported by 1 bearingmembers 31| 'l which f arefafxed to lower: former E'jectors 3 l 9;adjacent each" end of their original position when1 the trip 1 3| is"released.'

When the piston rod25| rotates the com-pound cam 26|` a. certaindistance, bundle lever 265 moves .tothe'position 255i and, accordingly;in association'- therewith the upper; former 353 i de-Y scendstotight-ly.compactithe-felded -wires 29"and 3|. Whenthefcornp'ound'camoZGi-I rotates afurther distance-:tie Lwire i lever f253 moves to the posi-- tion 2|3-'."'and,'v accordingly; in associationtherewith the` tie wire- 283i is advanced a1measured distanceinengagement withlagroove- 325 -in the upper former-'303 and a lgroovef'321'- ini-Lthelower former 239, thereby' curling the tielwire` 283 abouttheflded wires 29 and 3|. Whenthe compound cam 26| attainssubstantially'fits full stroke, a hammer block 329 aixedto said camstrikes a striker rod 33|, which operates a lever 333, which strikes'avshear pin '335, whereby the-tie wire 283-is cut; and the'lengthoftiewire encircling the wires2ll,y 3| 'is slightly in excess oione completev turn. A spring 33'l`extending`into lower former239`is1provided'tohold the tie -wire 283 securelyk against the shearingsurface of said 'lower former so that apositive cut is obtained. Acompression spring 339 returns the shear pin 335 to its normal positionand a compression spring 34| returns theI strikerrod 33| to its normalposition. Tension springs 343`assist in lightening the weight of thecross head 'assembly asl transmitted "to the .bundle lever 265. When thecompound'cam makes its return stroke the.` lever'arms 253 and 265 arevvreturned to their-normal position but in -soV doing. thelift'hook309engages thetrip 3| whereupon the ejectors 3|9 eject the bundle of legwire as represented by 3|9 in Fig.12. When the hook 309.3hasfcleared.the trip-3| l, the tension" spring 323 causes theejectorsf3l9 to returnto their respective seats and the-cam243, in` synchronized associationVwith the other mechanism, is ready to .initiate another cycle.

IniFigs. 18, 19 and-20 a modied form ofthe. cutters 205'. and 2li isillustrated. Inthis embodiment the upper cutter bladeAUl and the lowercutter blade' 433 rotatethroughl concavities` 405-- The. trip@4 35| ilis secured .to

and"4|1'|, respectively, Whichoare; provided in a.

mandrel'd, which is similar. tomandrel |33'de. scribed;` supra; Anaperture `4H is. provided through the-mandrelV 409 andthecutting edges.-V

specialutility inconnection `with the. folding ofl leg; wires-.foriblasting 3 caps, this. particular em: bodiment 'has been'selectedftordescrib'e itsy many advantages.

itsipractical.'application; In .this connection, '.men-

tion will. bemade of vthe possibility "0f .using 'the 1 same foldingmechanism for the foldingoifwireor` other materials" forir purposesother `than; those particularly directed .toithezmanufacture .ofblast-f.

ing caps;

It `is evident that there are" numerous i factors which-Willinfluenceconditionsfor the'most satisfactory" operation of theinvention, the-factual limits of' whichvcannot bel established except bydetailed.` studyA of :each set" of. materials, andi-,theintermediateandiinished products involved'.

It is'seen that'thesmachine ofthe presentinvention is-readilyadaptabletoz impart any;prede= terminednumber of folds" to: obtain' adesired length' of -folded material. This may lbe accoms plished, withincertain lmits;:by;utilizing a stand'- ard chassisand havingalternatesetso gear.-l ingtherefor in synchronized association with the-.-cuttingY and crushing tools and' the tying 'mechanismso that'adesiredllengthoffolded material .isobtained and adequate-tyingothexfoldedfmatef rialis'eflected'.

What we claim and desireto-protect by Lettersy :Patent is:

1. Inafoldingmachine havingfja synchronized mechanism,4 means forcontinuously folding; inf-- sulated strandsl of material. in angure configuration, guide and. supporting./meansor` the folded strands,Vconveying. means for. progressing the folledstrands, meanscfo'rsevering.the progrossing` strand-s. to form .arpredetermined length'.. andmeansfor 4crushing a..portion of theinsulation adjacent -theendsthus':formed,..furtherfpro gressingthe severed... lengthy lotstrands .to`dis.-y

charge...

2. In a .folding machine =h`aving..a synchronizedmechanism, means .forcontinuously fand. variably. tensioning insulated A.strands ofmaterial,1 .means for continuously. folding theetensioned. strandsv invan incurvate. configuration, guide .and supporting. means.. for.. the.folded"v strands. conveyingmeansfor progressmgthefldd strands', meansfor severingthe progressing strandsto .form a predeterminedllength and.means for crushing.. a. portionof the..insulation.adjacent Athe-endsthus. formed.' furtherprogressingthe .severedlngth of.

strands to discharge., means for. bundling. the

discharged strands,..and .means for. ej ecting. the

bundled strands..A

3.` In a folding.machine'having'a. synchronized mechanism, means forcontinuously andvariably` tensioning strandsof material, meansvforicontinu:

ously vfoldingthetensioned strands in aguret* conguratiomguide and.supporting'means for the folded strands, conveyingjmeansfor progressingthe foldedstrands, means for severingthe pro'- -gressingY strands toforma predetermined length,

further progressing thesevered length of strandsV to discharge, meansfor bundlingthe discharged strands, and means for ejecting the 'bundled'strands, wherein the strands'ofimaterial aretensioned by,'single groovesheaves for the individual strands, a plurality; of" multiple groovesheaves to` accommodatethe adjacent 'individual strands,- said'plurality' havingJ at leasta drive sheavega:

tensioning. sheave, and a "reciprocating"sheavegfr uniformlytensioningfthe strands in. synchronized' movement with'themeans forcotinuous1y"fold' ing the tensionedfstrand'siv It will. be. understood;however, that t. this :particular use. isfnot necessarilyfthe limitof4.A In a folding machine having a synchronized mechanism, means forcontinuously. and variably tensioning strands of material, means forcontinuously folding the tensfoned strands'in a ligure B configuration,guide and supporting means for the folded strands, conveying means forprogressing the folded strands, means for severiner the progressingstrands to form a predetermined length, further progressing the' severedlength of strands to discharge, means forbundlin'gthe dischargedstrands, and means for ej'ecting the bundled strands, wherein, thetensionedstrands of material are folded by two rotating spiders havingstrand engaging elements afilxed'thereto said spiders alternatelyengaging'and folding the. strands of material inwardly and downwardly,and reciprocating sleeves for the engaging elements,

associated with the folding mechanism, adapted to push off the engagedstrands sequentially.

5. In a'foldin'g machine having a synchronized mechanism, means forcontinuously and varia-bly tensioning strands of material, means foi`continuously folding the tensoned strands in a figure -material areguided and supported vby two mandrels having a pair of rotatingretainers, respectively, which en-gage concavities in the top and bottomsurfaces of the mandrels, said retainers` associated with the foldingmechanism and having threadlike grooves adapted to by-pass the strandsbeing conveyed on the mandrels.

6. In a folding machine having a synchronized mechanism, meansfor'continuously and variably`- tensioning strands of material, meansfor continuously folding the tensioned strands in a ligure 8configuration, guide and supportingmeans mechanism, means forcontinuously and variably tensioning strands of material, means forconfor the folded strands, conveying means for pro- V gressing thefolded strands, means for ,severingl the progressing strands to form apredetermined length, further progressing the severed lengthof strandsto discharge, means for bundling the discharged strands, and means for,ejecting they bundled strands, wherein, theI foldedstrands of materialare conveyed by screws in juxtaposition adapted to engage the foldedstrands and progress them ,along said guide and supporting means. ,L

7. 1n a folding machine having a synchronize'dv mechanism, means forcontinuously and variably gressing the folded strands, means forsevering the progressing strands to form a predetermined length, furtherprogressing the severed' length l of strands to discharge, means forbundling the discharged strands, and means for ejecting the'` bundledstrands, wherein, .the progressing strands to the guide and supportingmeans, said screws e of materialare severed by a rotating cutter,rassociated with the conveying means, and adapted` to sever theprogressing strands of material to form a predetermined length saidrotating cutter having a concave cutting surface and rotating through aconcavity in the guide and supporting n tinuously folding the tensionedstrands in a gure 8 configuration, guideand supporting means for thefolded strands, conveying means for progressing thefolded strands,`means fornsevering the progressing strands to form a predeterminedlength, further progressing the severed length of strands todischargameans for bundling the discharged strands, and means forejecting the bundled strands, wherein; the discharged strands ar'ebundled by an'upper former and alower former said upper former adaptedto descend and engage the lower former and compressth'e dischargedstrands, a curling cavity in the upper and lower formers adapted to curltie wire about the -compressed folded strands, and a shear pin adapt--ed to shear the tie wire after the `curling operation.

9. Inra folding mechanism, means for continuously and variablytensioning insulated strands of material, means for continuously foldingthe'tensionedstrands in a figure 8 conguration; guide and supportingmeans for the folded. strands, conveying kmeans for progressing4 thefolded strands, vmeans for" severing the progressing' insulatedy strandsto form a predetermined'length and means for crushing a portion of theinsulation adjacent the ends thus formed, furtherprogressing the severedlength of strands to discharge, meansV for Abundlin-g the; dischargedstrands, and means for ejecting the bundled 10. A folding machine forleg wires having in combination: single :groove sheaves 'for theindividualwires; a plurality of multiple Agroove sheaves to accommodateadjacentindividual wires, said plurality having at least a drive sheave,a tensioning sheave, and a reciprocatingsheave for-uniformly tensioningthe wires in synchrospiders having engaging elements aiied-thereto,vsaid spiders alternately engaging and folding .the wires inwardly anddownwardly; reciprocating sleeves for the engaging elements, asso-ciated-,with the folding mechanism, andadapted-to-push olf the engaged wiressequentially; guide and supporting means for the folded wires; conveyingmeans for progressing the folded wires; means-for severing theprogressing wires to form a predetermined length; further progressing.the severed length of wires to discharge; means for bundling`therdischarged wires, and-means for ejecting the bundled wires..

. 11.,A v folding machine for leg wires -having in combination: vsinglegroove sheaves for the individual wires; a plurality'of multiple groovevvsheaves kto accommodate adjacent `individual wires, said pluralityhaving at least a drive-sheave, a tensioningsheave, and areciprocating-sheave for` uniformly tensioning the wires in synchro-,'nized movement with means forv continuously foldingjthe tensionedwires;A two rotating spiders having engaging elements ,affixed thereto,.said .1. spiders alternatelyengaging and folding the wires A inwardlyand downwardly; reciprocating-sleeves yfor, the engaging elements,associated with the folding,mechanism, adapted to push off the engagedwires sequentially; two mandrels adapted `Y to; support the pushed offwires, vhaving a pair of rotating retainers, ,-respectively, whichvengage concavities in the top and bottom surfaces ofthe mandrels, saidretainers associated with the folding mechanism, having threadlikegrooves adapt- .ed. to byfpass the Wiresbeing .conveyed onf `thermandrels; .conveying :screws in juxtaposition to --themandrels :said:screws; adaptedgto engage Y,the

folded wires-and progress them. .alongthe mandrels; meansforfsevering-the progressing wires .to .-iorm .pa predetermined length;f. further ;;pro-

.gressing. the severed, lengtlrof wires A.tofrlischarg means for ibundling: the discharged wires; :and

rmeans for eiecting the hundledwires.

, l2. In :ap formingfmechanism 'lfor :continuously .folding strands of.material; in .the :formqof a figure: 8, a pair '10i imandrel membersimparallel relationship, f a.- .support :for Yeach 4of the. mandrelmembers comprising. aspair of. supportedrotatabi e. members :inF engaged.relationshipwithzazpair.

of `opposed ,f concavities in each :of sa-idf mandrel -members, andfoon-volute surfaces on :said iroable members 'in engaged. relationship.wi h 1a pair of.' opposed; concavitiesi infeach: of said/.mandrell`members;means L in juxtaposition with l. the mandrel .'members touniformly advanoelthe strands of lmaterial alongthe mandrel'amembers,and :convolute surfaces fon -said vrotatable cmembers adapted tobypass=the v--strands of material uniformly Iadvancedalong the mandrelmembers. 14. In a forming mechanism for continuously folding-strands :ofmaterial `inathe form of a relationshipya:support fiore-each of v.themandrel members comprising vat'least-af-pa'ir of supported rotatablemembers 1 in engaged- `relationshir) Ywith tion 'with l the mandrelmembers :to uniformly advance the strands'-of-material1along'the man-Vdrel members, l`and Ico2-evolute surfaces on said rotatable membersadapted tovfby-'pass the-strands of material uniform-ly'advanced--a`long lfthe-iri-'a-n- 15. In a 'f forming mechanism for -continuously'folding strands-ol ymaterial vin Athe fformof -a figurcl, a--pair ofAmandrel membersfl-inparallel relationship,A a support lfor'Yeaclrfo'f*theA Amandrel members rcomprisingl La pair Aof supported-rotatable-'membersin engaged `relationship with a pair rif-opposed-concavitiesfin 'each of saidimanstrands ofV material 4and uniformlyiconveythem along saidmandrel members, and convoluteisurfares on saidrotatable niembersvadaptedvtobypass the strands of material uniformly,conveyed along the mandrel members.

16. In a` forming mechanism for continuously folding strands vofmaterial in the `form of Aa ligure 3, 4two rotatingy members, eachhaving radially disposedlngers with engaging elements to alternatelyengage ,and fold the ,strands of material inwardly and downwardly.meansassociated with the rotatingl members adapted, to actuate theengaging elements` to ldislgfge strands of material sequentially, l andmeans adapted .to .support vsaid disengaged strands andmaintainthem'imaguret.

drei members,` conveying screws in Ajnxtaposition to the mandrel membersadaptedtoen-gagethev Y assenso 5 .affixed thereto, isaid rotatingmembers adapted to alternately Iengage and fold the strands of `materialinwardly ,and downwardly, 4reciprocatingsleevesfor theyengaging elementsassociated .with the .rotating members ,and iadapted. to push ofi theengaged strandsof material sequentially, and .two mandrels adapted tosupport the-pushed olf strandsA of'material. and maintain them in aiigure 8.

1-8.fIn-a forming mechanism for continuously folding :strands ofmaterial in the form of a Afigure 8, two rotating members, each havingat least one: radially disposed finger with an engag- .ing elementaiixed thereto, said rotating ,mem-

bers adapted to alternately engage andfold the strands of materialinwardly and downwardly, means .associated with the vrotating membersadapted to actuate the engaging elementsto disengage strands of materialsequentially, and means adapted to support said disengaged strands andmaintain them infa Yligure 8.

19.!In al forming mechanism for continuously folding `strands of4material in the form of `a ligure v8,.tworotating members, each havingat least-one radially disposed linger with an engagingelement-affixedthereto, said rotating membershadapted to alternately engagefand foldthe 'strands 4of material inwardly and downwardly, reciprocating sleevesfor the engaging elements Vassociated with the rotating members andadapted to push oli the engaged strands ofmate- `rial sequentially, andtwo mandrels adapted to support'the pushed on strands of material andmaintainfthem in a gure 8.

Y"20. YIn a `forming Ymechanism for continuously `lfolding' strands ofmaterial in the form of a .gure and-progressing said strands of material`along-a pair of mandrel members, a rotating cutteradapted'to sever theprogressing strands of material-to forma predetermined length, said.rotatingcutter rotating through a concavity in ,oneof the mandrelmembers to sever said progressing strands of material yby transverseshear, and an aperture through the mandrel member 501m communicationwithsaid concavity to permit residual particles of the severed strandsto 'discharge therethrough. `21.` In a forming mechanism forcontinuously folding strands of material in Athe form of a .gure andprogressing .said strandsof material ...along a pair of mandrel members,a pair of rotating cutters in opposed relationship adapted to v`severthe progressing strands of material to' form .apredetermined length,each of said rotating nolcutters having a concave cutting surface, apair of. concavities. in opposed relationship in one of the..mandrelmembers adapted to receive the concave cutting surfaces of the opposedrotating Ycutters', .and in conjunction with said rotating a 6cutterssever said progressing strands or"A mateaixedgthereto, .saidrotatingmembers adapted v.rialby transverse shear, and anaperturethrough themandrel member in communication with the `OIlIl'osedconcavities to permit residual particles .of. the. severedstrands todischarge therethrough.

JOSEPH STUART, II. -KURT W. JAPPE.

-ROSCOE B. SMITH.

